UN approves arms embargo against Yemen rebel leaders

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council stepped up efforts Tuesday to thwart a Houthi rebel takeover of Yemen, imposing an arms embargo on the leaders of the Shiite group, along with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son.

Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, has been pushed to the brink of collapse by ground fighting and Saudi-led airstrikes in support of current President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who was forced to flee to Saudi Arabia. Observers say the fighting in the strategic Mideast nation is taking on the appearance of a proxy war between Iran, the Shiite powerhouse backing the Houthis, and Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia.

The Security Council resolution was approved in a 14-0 vote, with Russia abstaining. Moscow had insisted on an arms embargo on all parties to the conflict, and Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin also complained that the resolution did not require all sides to the conflict "to swiftly halt fire."

The resolution demands that all Yemeni parties, especially the Houthis, end violence and return swiftly to U.N.-led peace talks aimed at a political transition. It makes no mention of the airstrikes.

Yemen's U.N. Ambassador Khaled Hussein said the council sent a very clear message that the Houthis "should stop their coup and they should return the kidnapped state to the legitimate government of Yemen."

Saudi Arabia's U.N. Ambassador Abdallah Al-Moualimi said the resolution is "a very clear endorsement" of the airstrikes and a rejection of the Houthi offensive and Iran's "meddling" in Yemen.

He warned, when asked about a possible Saudi ground offensive, that the airstrikes were a response to the Houthis military action and if the Houthis don't comply with the resolution, "they will continue to face more of the same."

The council called on all countries, especially Yemen's neighbors, to inspect cargo headed to Yemen if there are "reasonable grounds" to believe it contains weapons.

In addition, the council imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on the Houthi leader and Saleh's son. The same sanctions had already been imposed on the other three men last November.

Following the council vote, the U.S. Treasury Department added the Houthi leader and Saleh's son to a terrorism blacklist, which already included the other three men.

Britain's U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the Houthis ignored a council resolution in February that had warned of further measures if they failed to cease their aggression. The new resolution also threatens further sanctions for non-compliance.

Lyall Grant stressed that a political solution is the only solution and the best way to counter the threat from terrorist groups in Yemen such as al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, considered by the U.S. to be the world's most dangerous branch of the terror network.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said the new sanctions show "that this council will take action against those who continue to undermine efforts toward reconciliation."

Several diplomats questioned whether the arms embargo would have any impact on the conflict. Iran has reportedly been the main supplier of weapons to the Houthis, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The resolution demands that the Houthis withdraw from areas they have seized, including the capital of Sanaa, relinquish arms and missiles seized from military and security institutions, and release the defense minister and all political prisoners.

The council asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to intensify efforts to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate foreigners, including establishing "humanitarian pauses" in coordination with the government of Yemen. It called on all parties to facilitate the aid delivery and evacuation of foreigners.